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Anderson County Commission approves $45,000 grant to give senior center a new van

The van is meant to help seniors who don't have other ways to get around.

ANDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — The Anderson County Commission recently approved a grant from the state for $45,000 to buy a new van for the county's senior center. 

The Anderson County Senior Center's current van is 16 years old and, according to Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, was due to retire. He said the county's fleet service director targeted it to be replaced. With a new van, he said they could arrange new opportunities to help seniors in the area.

"In Anderson County, we have over 21,000 seniors. When we look at things like transportation, we have over 600 seniors who are without a vehicle," said Frank.

The grant is expected to be authorized on Nov. 1, and after that some programs the senior center hopes to improve several kinds of service, such as taking people to medical appointments or going a step beyond and helping them at home.

"So maybe it's not a trip to the doctor," said Frank. "Maybe in partnership with medical providers, we're actually going directly to the senior, helping them solve their medical needs but also solving that transportation gap."

The county is currently looking into finding partnerships with insurance companies and medical providers to make these services available. 

Another service they hope to expand is their food delivery service. Currently the center partners with the East Tennessee Human Resource Agency to deliver food to seniors three days a week. Frank said they hope to expand that service to every weekday.

More information on the Senior Center or ways to get involved can be found here.

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